What are Alabama’s biggest concerns heading into the Rose Bowl? (Podcast)
Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks the field after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Georgia in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)APOn the latest episode of the “College Football Survivor Show”, hosts Shehan Jeyarajah and Bobak Ha’Eri were joined by Alabama football beat writer Matt Stahl from AL.com.
They broke down the Crimson Tide’s College Football Playoff matchup against Michigan from Alabama’s perspective. Jalen Milroe, the offensive line, Nick Saban hiring the Wolverines’ former linebacker coach and more were discussed.
Here’s what they think are the Crimson Tide’s biggest concerns in the Rose Bowl matchup after talking to Stahl:
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Jeyarajah: “I think for me, it is just the down-to-down consistency, right? Obviously with Michigan, they are the most efficient team in the entire country on offense. Every single play, essentially, they create a positive play for themselves.
Will they be able to do that the same way? Will Alabama be able to do that same thing against Michigan? That’s kind of a big question for me. We haven’t necessarily seen them do it consistently over the course of multiple games.
The closest that we got from it was their game against LSU, which really is one of the worst defenses that they played all season long. And their defense has done enough to allow them to be in these games regardless.
“But I think we need a good Alabama offense game. Not a high-scoring output, they don’t need to score 35 points to win this game, but they do need to hang on to the ball because I think one of the most dangerous things that could happen in this game is Michigan holding the ball for more than 40 minutes of possession and Alabama’s defense just getting worn out while Alabama’s offense can’t get anything consistent going offensively.
They need to be able to hang on to the ball at least long enough to wear down that Michigan defense and then hit on some of these explosive plays on top of it.”
Ha’Eri: “I think my biggest concern is whether or not they can protect Milroe enough to allow him to continue what he was doing before.
Because we’ve seen this is going to be a caliber of opponent that is not only going to be as talented as anyone they’ve faced before, but is going to be throwing things probably a little different than what they’ve seen all season. And he is still in his first season as a true starter of the program.
“We’ve talked about how much upside we see. We’re talking about how going in the next season, he’s probably gonna be a preseason Heisman candidate, if not the leading candidate, and he’s gonna be battling for it next year.
But this is still his first season, and there’s a lot to be said for the experience in the pocket, and I’d love to see how he develops. And he’s probably gonna be the make or break for my view on how they do going into this game.”
